Ice Hawks Name Rick Lantz New Head Coach

Overall the season never lived up to the past reputation the Delta Ice Hawks are used to or even though would see them finish the season fourth in the Tom Shaw Conference with a record of 23 wins, 19 losses, 4 OTL 3 SOW, 1 OTW getting eliminated by the Ridge Meadow Flames in five games.

Clearly there were parts of the season that seemed “bright” but given the various roster changes with players as well as injuries never helps any team advance to further playoff action considering the PJHL is headed for Junior “A” status under the umbrella of Hockey Canada.

Changes seemed to be inevitable and most recently the team has parted ways with long time Coach Steve Robinson who has guided the team for the past nine seasons having a winning record of 244-98-16-11-5 (W-L-OTL-SOL-T).

Given that changes seemed to be in the making the Delta Ice Hawks officially announced Rick Lanz as Head Coach as well as  Mark Burgin as the new General Manager where this past season Steve held both positions.

Moving forward owner Eduard Epstein felt it necessary to split the roles so Rick and Mark could best concentrate on their roles rather than put added pressure on one individual.

Looking at not only the success Rick has had he brings over 30 years of coaching and hockey operations experience to the team. 

A former Vancouver Canuck, he represented Canada at both the World Junior and World Championship levels, and remains one of the highest‑scoring defensemen in franchise history after seven NHL seasons. 

Following his professional playing career, Lanz transitioned into coaching and scouting, serving in head coaching roles in both the BCHL and WHL. 

In 2004, he led the Burnaby Express to a Canadian Junior A Championship, capturing the Centennial Cup — widely regarded as one of the most challenging trophies to win in Canadian hockey.

He has also worked as a head scout for several NHL organizations and was part of the St. Louis Blues organization that won the Stanley Cup in 2019.

He recently served as Head Coach of the Delta Hockey Academy U‑17 Prep team, guiding the program to an impressive record of 26‑1‑3, a first‑place finish among 22 teams in the CSSHL Prep Division in addition to holding a developmental role with the Hawks for the last couple of years.

“We are very happy to welcome Rick as our new Head Coach,” said team owner Eduard Epshtein. “His experience, leadership, and commitment to player development align directly with our vision of building a strong Junior A program.”

Mark Burgin New General Manager

Mark is a skilled professional with a long list of accomplishments, including coaching and board roles with Semiahmoo Minor Hockey, BC Floorball Board Director, founder of Diversity Athletics Society, and BC Hockey Board Director. 

He has worked with the Vancouver Canucks’ “Conversation in the Locker Room”, is certified Power Edge Pro (PEP) instructor and Cognitive Sports Performance Coach, and was a finalist of the NHL’s Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award in 2024. 

Mark has spent years training, developing, and mentoring athletes in the WHL, NCAA, ECHL, AHL, and NHL – on and off the ice.

Mark will bring leadership, marketing, and management skills to the Ice Hawks, which help continue the development of top tier Junior A programming in Delta.

“I am honoured to join the Delta Ice Hawks as the team’s General Manager. With a collective focus on player development, player advancement, and building a program that young athletes aspire to be part of, we strive to continue to build an organization that the community can rally around. By working closely with minor hockey and actively engaging our fans, we plan to create an organization where opportunity and community all grow together.”